By William F. Loftus, PhD. for Pelican Island Audubon Society
Members of Pelican Island Audubon who have enjoyed birding and photography at the County’s “Vero Wetlands” on 8th Street have been dismayed by the degraded conditions of this once-vibrant birding site. Whereas once it was a location where both residents and out-of-area nature enthusiasts enjoyed a walk where hundreds of birds of dozens of species could be seen, its overgrown and dewatered ponds are hardly worth visiting.
I recently read an article published in Vero Beach Magazine entitled “Journey Through the Wetlands of Vero Beach.” Had it been published 15-years ago, the article would have been an accurate representation of the wetlands. Unfortunately, the West Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Wetlands no longer represent a “win-win.” When I began visiting in 2012, it was managed both for water treatment and visitors. It was a favorite birding hotspot on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Every day I met people from around the country using the area for birding, hiking the levees, photography and angling. Many locals said they visited the wetlands frequently to use the green space for recreation, especially given the absence of County parks west of 43rd Avenue. Out-of-state visitors made special trips there after learning of its wildlife from the Internet or by word-of-mouth.
Since 2017, conditions at the Wetlands have deteriorated, both for wildlife and visitors. Good luck finding the birds like Painted Buntings mentioned in the magazine article. Few locals now visit because of un-mowed levees with fire-ant mounds and dry or vegetation-choked ponds with no birds. Out-of-state visitors are almost nonexistent.
Other water-treatment facilities also prioritize cleansing water before releasing it. However, they also recognize the potential of attracting visitors for recreation and enjoyment of nature. Palm Beach County’s Wakodahatchee wetland, Brevard’s Viera Wetlands, and Alachua’s Sweetwater wetlands are now some of Florida’s best birding places! Each attracts thousands of visitors a year who spend money in restaurants and hotels. Indian River County should have the vision to join that group of far-sighted counties by restoring added value to our local facility. Encouraging visits by residents and tourists alike to this gem in the rough will add to our local economy. Water treatment and recreation need not be mutually exclusive!
As more and more building occurs in west County, especially along the State Road 60 corridor, there is a need for more open space and passive-recreation parks for those new residents to enjoy. If you agree that our community should prioritize green spaces as development occurs, please express your feelings to city and county officials. Only by coming together to demand that parklands be a priority will we have a more-livable community. Tricolored Heron & Blue-winged Teal a